A Rimbey businessman got the green light from council to revise an area structure plan and have the first phase of his property rezoned to highway commercial.
In a 3-2 vote, council, at its regular meeting Oct. 7 gave third reading to a bylaw to reclassify the rezoning of Phase 1 of the BRIX area structure plan from country residential.
Councillors Gayle Rondeel and Paul Payson voted against the motion as commercial development could involve more industrial traffic.
Rondeel wanted to postpone third reading until more information was obtained from Tagish Engineering.
“Setting it back a month and a half means it could be done right. I’m not concerned about traffic, I’m concerned about danger.”
Councillor Payson agreed.
“Doing a hairpin road with a big rig is not fun.”
Steffen Olsen, owner and developer of the parcel located in the southwest corner of said the area is designated for industrial and commercial use in the municipal development plan.
He said after discussions with administration, he decided the parcels should be zoned commercial and not country residential and noted that interest has been shown for small commercial use.
Darren and Karen Fischer, who are adjacent landowners were opposed to the rezoning due to concerns such as highway access, vehicle traffic, setbacks, speeding and the condition of Simpson Road.
Another adjacent landowner, Jim Anderson was opposed due to the condition of the road, traffic volumes and dust.
Olsen’s plan includes the development of approximately 61 acres of land. Development is to take place in three stages with the first phase to include six two-acre residential lots. Phases two and three are to include commercial and industrial development.
Although the rezoning was approved, council voted unanimously in favor of a motion by Coun. Rondeel to have Tagish Engineering do an assessment of the access of 40 Street and Highway 53.